Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislator-elect Fu Kun-chi (傅崐萁) on Monday rescinded his candidacy for legislative speaker, removing the last challenge to former Kaohsiung mayor Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) and Legislator Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) before the party formalizes its ticket on Wednesday.
The announcement was a turnaround from the day before, when the former Hualien County commissioner held a news conference doubling down on his intention to run and outlining his platform.
Even before the news conference, KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) had already given his support to Han and Chiang to run as speaker and deputy speaker respectively.
Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei Times
The party on Monday held a meeting with its newly elected legislators, concluding in the change of heart by Fu.
“My personal honor is not important, it’s about improving the legislature,” Fu said.
Saying there was only one way to unite the party at this time, Fu endorsed the Han-Chiang ticket as the party’s consensus for the most competitive and robust option.
Chu thanked Fu for supporting Han and Chiang, who are to be formally nominated by the party on Wednesday.
Voting for the new speaker and deputy speaker is scheduled for Thursday next week, the first day of the new legislature.
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